Astrophysics
Articles tagged with Astrophysics
Gravitational wave detectors can now ‘auto-tune’ their signals
Researchers from the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA Collaboration demonstrate how Astro Calibration technique improves signal processing by leveraging astrophysical models and comparison to predicted signals. This enhances detection of cosmic phenomena like black hole mergers, refining estimates of masses, spins, distance, and location.
A new way to spot signs of dark matter
New method sharpens the search for alien biology
Researchers found amino acids are consistently more diverse and evenly distributed in biological samples than abiotic ones, while fatty acids show the opposite pattern. This fundamental principle of life may be detectable in data collected by space missions.
Lonely Jupiter-like planet tells us more about gas giants
Cosmic blowtorches: How quasars shut down star formation in the early universe
Biggest black holes built up in busy star clusters after series of violent merging events, research finds
The most massive black holes detected by gravitational waves were formed through repeated and violent collision events in densely populated star clusters. The study identifies two distinct populations, with high-mass systems showing rapid spins and a signature consistent with cluster mergers.
Ultrahigh-energy cosmic messengers may carry ultraheavy secrets
HKU Nobel Laureate Professor Ferenc Krausz elected as International Member of U.S. National Academy of Sciences
A new way to read the Universe
A new framework called CIGaRS allows scientists to extract more information from Type Ia supernovae by jointly analyzing their explosions and host galaxies. This enables precise distance measurements without spectroscopy, crucial for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's 10-year sky survey.
Astronomers pin down the origins of a planetary odd couple
Scientists have measured the atmosphere of the mini-Neptune, revealing a heavy composition with water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. The findings suggest that both planets formed far from their host star, then were drawn inward through a gradual process, preserving their atmospheres.
The DAMPE satellite sheds light on the origin of cosmic rays
The DAMPE satellite has identified a universal feature in the energy spectra of primary cosmic ray nuclei, revealing that spectral softening occurs around a rigidity of about 15 TV. This observation strongly supports models explaining the acceleration and transport of cosmic rays based on their rigidity.
Texas A&M opens world’s largest academic controlled-explosions lab
The new facility enables scientists to observe and measure detonation forces in unprecedented detail, shedding light on industrial safety risks and potential breakthroughs. Researchers aim to develop safer designs and protocols by examining detonation disasters like the Buncefield Fire.
Neutrinos caught on camera
A new detector technology has been developed to track elementary particles in large volumes of unsegmented scintillator material. The system uses a plenoptic camera and single-photon avalanche diode array sensors to achieve high-resolution 3D tracking, even in photon-starved conditions.
Dark matter could explain earliest supermassive black holes
A study led by University of California, Riverside graduate student Yash Aggarwal suggests that dark matter decays could have seeded the direct collapse of galaxies into giant black holes. The research found that a window of dark matter masses between 24 and 27 electronvolts could produce conditions for black hole formation.
Starquakes and the archaeology of stellar magnetism
Researchers at ISTA team present theoretical evidence that magnetic fields in stars can persist through all stages of evolution, emerging as 'fossil fields' at the surfaces of older remnants. This discovery sheds new light on our understanding of stellar magnetism and its relation to starquakes.
How black holes light up the dark
Researchers use high-resolution simulations to model the disruption of stars near supermassive black holes, uncovering details about their mass, spin, and orientation. The study sheds light on the formation of tidal disruption events (TDEs), which offer a unique way to observe these invisible objects.
Self-interacting dark matter may solve three cosmic puzzles
A study suggests that self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) can explain unusual gravitational effects observed in various astrophysical environments. Dense clumps of SIDM can account for high-density structures in the universe, providing a promising candidate for explaining small-scale cosmic structure.
Japan delivers its sharpest X-ray telescope for the FOXSI mission, a US-Japan rocket program to observe the sun
Scientists in Japan developed a high-resolution X-ray telescope using precision mirror-making technology, capable of distinguishing objects 3.5 mm wide from 1 km away. The telescope was tested on the ground using a unique evaluation system before launch on the FOXSI sounding rocket mission.
"Ancient Immigrant" star puzzles, delights astronomers
Astronomers have discovered an ancient immigrant star in the Milky Way that formed in a companion galaxy and migrated billions of years ago. The star, SDSSJ0715-7334, has the lowest metallicity ever observed, suggesting it is one of the oldest stars in the universe.
Found: Most pristine star in the universe
Astronomers have identified the most pristine star in the known universe, SDSS J0715-7334, with a metal content of less than 0.005%. This ancient immigrant was born about 80,000 light-years from Earth and has been pulled into the Milky Way galaxy over time.
Two's company: ISTA scientists identify new class of star remnants
Researchers from ISTA identify two white dwarfs, Gandalf and Moon-Sized, which share five properties, including X-ray emission, despite being isolated objects. These discoveries suggest the existence of a new class of star remnants with unique magnetic and rotational properties.
Physicist recreates neutron star reaction, reveals how explosive stars forge elements
A Mississippi State physicist has achieved a significant scientific advancement by producing a direct laboratory measurement of a key nuclear reaction believed to occur during explosive bursts on neutron stars. These reactions forge heavier elements, including oxygen and iron, which are essential for planet formation and life.
New theory reshapes quantum view of Big Bang
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a new theory that suggests the universe's rapid early expansion could emerge naturally from a deeper, more complete theory of quantum gravity. This approach offers a unified picture that connects the earliest moments of the universe to modern cosmology.
Study: New explanation for unique ‘negative superhump’ features of deep-space binary star systems
A team of astrophysicists offers a new explanation for negative superhumps in cataclysmic variable star systems, proposing an eccentric accretion disk model. This theory explains the prevalence of negative superhumps across a wide range of binary star masses and may also explain positive superhumps in high mass ratio systems.
Safer space travel — Cosmic ray simulator at GSI/FAIR
GSI/FAIR's new Galactic Cosmic Ray simulator enables researchers to better understand radiation doses and control effects in human tissue and technical components. The simulator replicates the GCR exposure in a lightly shielded habitat, providing a crucial tool for space radiation research.
We are not alone: Our Sun escaped together with stellar “twins” from galaxy center
Researchers found our Sun joined a mass migration of similar stars 4-6 billion years ago, shedding light on galaxy evolution and the corotation barrier. The discovery reveals the time range over which the bar structure at the galactic center was formed.
UW astronomers collect rare evidence of two planets colliding
A team of astronomers has detected rare evidence of two planets colliding, which could provide valuable insights into the formation of our solar system. The unlikely event was observed in a distant star, Gaia20ehk, which was found to have massive amounts of rocks and dust passing in front of it, blocking its light.
UCSB researcher bridges the worlds of general relativity and supernova astrophysics
A team of international researchers led by a UC Santa Barbara graduate student has confirmed a long-standing theory of stellar death by applying the principles of general relativity to a superluminous supernova. The discovery suggests that a magnetar, a rapidly spinning neutron star with a massive magnetic field, powers the supernova, ...
Press program now available for the world's largest physics meeting
The Global Physics Summit will feature over 12,000 individual presentations on new research in astrophysics, particle physics, and quantum information science. Registered journalists and public information officers will receive daily emails with information during the meeting.
New NASA DART mission data reveals that asteroids throw ‘cosmic snowballs’ at each other
Asteroids in binary systems actively exchange rocks and dust through gentle, slow-motion collisions, reshaping them over millions of years. The DART mission's findings confirm the YORP effect, where sunlight makes small asteroids spin faster, causing material to fly off their surfaces.
New catalog more than doubles the number of gravitational-wave detections made by LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA observatories
The latest catalog more than doubles the number of gravitational-wave detections made by LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA observatories, revealing a kaleidoscope of cosmic collisions. The LVK's Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog-4.0 comprises 128 new detections from a nine-month period.
A kaleidoscope of cosmic collisions: the new catalogue of gravitational signals from LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA
The updated catalogue, GWTC-4, doubles the number of events, revealing 128 new gravitational signals and a kaleidoscope of cosmic collisions, including massive black hole binaries and neutron star binaries. The data provides unprecedented precision to test Einstein's General Relativity and probe the universe's evolution.
Stars like our Sun may maintain the same rotation pattern for life, contrary to 45 years of theoretical predictions
Researchers at Nagoya University found that magnetic fields keep the equator spinning faster than the poles in stars, preventing a rotation flip even as they slow down with age. This contradicts 45 years of theoretical predictions and could help scientists solve stellar mysteries.
Four decades of data give unique insight into the Sun’s inner life
Researchers analyzed over 40 years of astronomical data to find detectable changes inside the Sun during four quiet periods. The study reveals that even small differences in solar magnetic activity produce measurable changes in the Sun's internal structure.
Asteroid samples offer new insights into conditions when the solar system formed
Researchers analyzed Ryugu asteroid samples to understand magnetic field evolution in early solar system. The study found that 23 of 28 samples exhibited stable NRM components, providing critical information on the spatiotemporal evolution of magnetic fields.
Rubin Observatory launches real-time monitoring of the sky with thousands of alerts
The Rubin Observatory has launched a real-time monitoring system, producing up to 7 million alerts per night, which will enable scientists to discover rare and unusual objects in the universe. The alerts will chronicle the treasure trove of scientific discoveries made through the observatory's time-lapse record of the universe.
Illinois and UChicago physicists develop a new method to measure the expansion rate of the universe
A team of researchers from Illinois and UChicago has developed a novel way to compute the Hubble constant using gravitational waves, improving accuracy over prior methods. The new method uses background gravitational-wave hum from merging black holes in distant galaxies to learn about the age and composition of the universe.
Scientists observe distant jellyfish galaxy for first time
Astronomers from the University of Waterloo have observed a distant jellyfish galaxy, providing rare insight into how galaxies were transformed in the early universe. The discovery challenges previous beliefs about galaxy clusters and their impact on galaxy properties.
An international team of astronomers led by UMass Amherst may have just found one of the missing links in galaxy evolution
A team of astronomers led by UMass Amherst has discovered a population of dusty, star-forming galaxies at the edge of the universe, formed 13 billion years ago. These galaxies are linked to ultrabright, young galaxies and massive quiescent galaxies, providing new insights into galaxy evolution.
Cosmic predators: How supermassive black holes slow star growth in nearby galaxies
Scientists capture the clearest view yet of a star collapsing into a black hole
A team led by Columbia University professor Kishalay De observed a massive star in the Andromeda galaxy collapse directly into a black hole without exploding as a supernova. This event challenges long-held assumptions about stellar deaths, suggesting that stars with similar mass may or may not successfully explode.
Caught in the act: Astronomers watch a vanishing star turn into a black hole
Researchers discovered a star in the Andromeda Galaxy that vanished without going supernova, instead collapsing directly into a black hole. The team's analysis revealed the process of stellar collapse and provided evidence for convection's role in shaping a black hole's outer layers.
Last chance to get a hotel discount for the world’s largest physics meeting
The American Physical Society's Global Physics Summit will feature over 10,000 individual presentations on new research in astrophysics and particle physics. Attendees can book discounted hotel rates near the Colorado Convention Center until February 12 to receive a discount.
SwRI appoints Fuselier vice president of Space Science Division
Dr. Stephen Fuselier, a renowned heliophysicist and member of the National Academy of Sciences, has been appointed vice president of SwRI's Space Science Division. He brings over four decades of experience in space science to lead the division.
Reproduction in space, an environment hostile to human biology
The lack of widely accepted standards for managing reproductive health risks in space is a pressing concern. Limited reliable data from human studies shows that space can be hostile to human biology, with conditions like altered gravity, cosmic radiation, and circadian disruption affecting reproductive processes.
Did we just see a black hole explode? Physicists at UMass Amherst think so—and it could explain (almost) everything
A team of physicists at UMass Amherst has proposed a new model for black holes, the 'dark charge' model, which explains high-energy neutrinos and solves cosmic mysteries. The model suggests that quasi-extremal primordial black holes, with a 'dark charge,' could be the missing link in explaining the universe's fundamental nature.
This student made cosmic dust in her lab. What she found could help us understand how life started on Earth
A Sydney PhD student has recreated a tiny piece of the Universe inside a bottle in her laboratory, producing cosmic dust from scratch. The results shed new light on how the chemical building blocks of life may have formed long before Earth existed.
Kissing the sun: Unraveling mysteries of the solar wind
A University of Arizona-led research team has measured the dynamics and ever-changing hot gas shell from where the solar wind originates. The study helps scientists answer fundamental questions about energy and matter moving through the heliosphere, affecting space weather events and planetary orbits.
Researchers uncover clue to explain the Universe’s symmetry
A study by researchers at Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe has developed a method to resolve phase ambiguity in measuring cosmic birefringence. The technique may provide clues to unknown physical theories and dark matter, reducing uncertainty in observations.
Scientists establish a means of using lasers to increase muon lifetime
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have discovered a method to increase muon lifetime using intense laser pulses. By applying quantum interference principles, they aim to develop new scientific facilities that utilize muons instead of electrons.
Astronomers reveal new details about dark matter’s influence on Universe
Researchers created the highest resolution map of dark matter, showing its interaction with normal matter through gravity. The new data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope confirms previous research and provides new details about dark matter's influence on the Universe.
Massive black hole mystery unlocked by Irish researchers
Researchers at Maynooth University found that chaotic conditions in the early Universe triggered the rapid growth of smaller black holes into super-massive behemoths. This breakthrough resolves a long-standing puzzle, suggesting that 'garden variety' stellar mass black holes can grow at extreme rates.
Study provides new insight into the origin of a rare proton-rich isotope
Researchers at FRIB have measured proton capture on arsenic-73 to produce selenium-74, providing new constraints on the formation and destruction of p-nuclei. This experiment brings closer understanding of rare isotope origins in the universe.
Researchers publish new guide to measuring spacetime fluctuations
Researchers developed a unified framework to measure spacetime fluctuations, enabling clear targets for experiments. The study provides measurable signatures for different categories of fluctuations, expanding the possibilities for testing quantum-gravity predictions.
New study finds that water makeup of Jupiter’s Galilean moons set at birth
A new international study finds that Io and Europa's contrasting water makeup was established at birth, contradicting the idea that it evolved over time. The research suggests that Io formed from dry materials and Europa accreted from ice-rich building blocks.
UC Riverside scientists win 2025 Buchalter Cosmology Prize
Researchers found that reionization-driven turbulence can power the turbulent dynamo, amplifying weak magnetic fields over time. This mechanism relies on established physics rather than exotic particles or forces, explaining the origin of intergalactic magnetic fields.
Copenhagen researchers make the front page of Nature: Solving the mystery of the universe's ‘little red dots’
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have explained the mysterious 'red dots' seen in James Webb Space Telescope images as young black holes. The discovery provides insight into how the universe's first black holes were born and sheds light on their early development.
SwRI’s Dr. Michael Davis named SPIE Fellow
Dr. Michael Davis, an astrophysicist at Southwest Research Institute, has been recognized by SPIE as a Fellow for his work on space instruments and UV imaging. He is the optics and detector scientist for NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Juno mission to Jupiter.
World's largest physics conference to be held in Denver and online this March
The American Physical Society's Global Physics Summit will convene over 14,000 physicists worldwide for groundbreaking research presentations. The event will feature both in-person and online experiences, including scientific sessions, exhibits, and networking events.